The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-01-01

THE SECOND.
Nine o'clock-the last night of the old
year. You are all alone, tonight, Nan.
All, no-not quite; there is One besides
who faileth not, One Of whom it was said,
she trod the wine press alone" You
tread it too, but you have him to help.
The little book is lying in your lap,
the struggling candlelight falls on your
face, the long laehes that hide the dark
eyes are wet. Little Nan, you have been
crying.
There are tears dimming your eyes
now as they rest upon the open page
Joshua Marston's nephew came home
from Europe to-day" Well, what of that?
Jack Marston - handsome, brave Jack
Marstop, who owns half the mill where
you work-a factory hand. Nan, what is
he to you?" Aud again. sack Marston is
the noblest man 1 ever saw" What bust
ness have you to think him noble? Nan,
Nan, remember you are but a factory
girl and he millionairel
To-day went to visit Robins grave.
I sat down beside the little mound
and-I was so lonely and wretch sd-bur-
led my face in the grass and cried. did
not hear footsteps, did not know any one
was near, until heard somebody say
"Miss Man," and looking up I saw-Jack
Marston. He started when he saw had
been crying. but he did not go away; in.
stead, he came nearer and bending down,
read the simple inscription on the stone:
"RoBIN--AGED FIVE"
81 am sorry, Miss Man," he said.
1t sounded SO odd to hear sympathiz
ing voice, I tried hard to keep back the
tears, but failed.
"What was the matter?' asked Jack
Marston, after pause.
I did not heed what I said, did not
think at all, but raised my head and an.
swered:
poverty"
Jack Marston gave great start.
"Uncle Joehua-'' he asked, stopped;
but finished the sentence for him:
"Had just paid his hands their weeks
wages. What did it matter to him that
the doctors bill was twice as larger 1
spoke bitterly, but Jack Marston looked
very sad.
81 am very sorry" he said simply.
Looking at him, I remembered that
this man was his uncle, and sprang up.
"Please forgive me-" said, 81 did not
think"
sI do not think you are the one to be
forgiven" he answered quietly.
He walked out with me afterwards, all
the way home. He only said "good
night" at parting, but no one ever said it
to me like that before, nor looked at me
half so kindly.
think he is the noblest man on earth!
All, Nan, you are forgetting-you have
forgotten-that you are factory girl!
You are remem bering only that you are a
woman.
Ten o'clock Turn over another leaf,
Nan. Read on.
He is very kind to me-Jack Marston
but in quiet way. think il all fac
tory owners were as good, it would not
seem so hard to work in mill, and-our
wages have been raised.
wonder what it all means. am be-
wildered and cannot make it our. Mr..
Jack has been so kind and have been
so happy, and now-I heard Della Lane
talking to some of the girls to-day. Oh,
she was talking about him-him and me.
Lit made me angry that she
should say such things of him. Why are
people SO cruel? He has been very kind
flirting" Della Lane, hate you.
What she says of me, I do not care, but
she shall never have another chance to
say anything of him, for 1 will not let
him be even kind.
I came home by the other road to-
night. 1t was very long, longer it SEEM
ed than it used to be, bat no one ever
comes that way.
Turn again, Nan another leaf:
To night, coming home, very tired,
lonely-the (river road is so long)-some-
body said "Miss Man," and looking, I
saw Jack Marston. believe for a mo-
ment, 1 was glad to see him.
"May walk the rest of the way with
your" he asked.
1 was going to say YES" for l was
very lonesome, but when 1 remembered
what Della mad said.
"Please," said, very much confused,
ooh, Mr.. Marston, no-please don't" For
Just one moment he looked at me, then
he raised his hat.
excuse me" he said. "Good even
ing" Then he was gone.
felt like crying; l am not sure but l
did cry little, but know he meant only
simple kindness, and they shall not call
him I" fiirt because Of that.
Ihave seen him again, but he was very
z--.-o ov,o aRrai5 ba 10 aD0ry